ATF Puddle - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 09-05-2012, 04:11 PM

UGH, very frustrating.

My 82 300CD, runs well, transmission shifts perfect... Car sat for about a year.

Noticed a puddle of oil underneath a few days ago. Got the car pulled out today to drive it, thought it was lube oil... But it is RED!!!!

No idea why there would be ATF spilling out. Very odd. And it must be coming out the passenger's side.

And it came out when the car was nor on, so its not a pressure leak.

Do torque converters and coolers have the ability to backfill into the pan over time? If so, could there be a leak/seepage out the pan gasket because of it being in an "overfilled" condition (not really, just because some internal components leaked out) that would cause this?

Anyone else ever have a p/s ATF leak from their AT?

AT was serviced maybe 2 years and 5k ago, new kit, all was well, never lost/leaked a drop of ATF before.

Thoughts?

Hit Man X · #2 09-05-2012, 04:15 PM

Pinched gasket? Warped pan?

JHZR2 · #3 09-05-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Pinched gasket? Warped pan?

Yeah but why? I never lost a drop of ATF as far as I knew, never had a leak, never wet underneath. The car was garaged when it sat, and though not air conditioned or heated, it was in pretty benign conditions that I cannot see as stressing to the system.

That's why I was thinking perhaps something flowed back and got higher than a point that it usually doesnt, causing a slight leak-out.

engatwork · #4 09-05-2012, 06:17 PM

Did the leak show up in the general area of the radiator or behind the engine area. There are a couple transmission fluid cooler hoses at the lower part of the radiator (engine side) that go bad.

JHZR2 · #5 09-05-2012, 06:28 PM

No this is way back. Back past where the turbo downpipe hits the exhaust system by maybe a foot. And it is pretty far outboard, not directly under center of the car by any stretch.

So a dried out and/or warped gasket is definitely in the realm of possiblity. I guess if they dont get sloshed with ATF or thermal cycled enough they can dry out and then seep?

carnut · #6 09-05-2012, 07:25 PM

Raise car, slide under then tell us where its from. How can we help without knowing the source? Most Mercedes of this era had the dip stick tube screwed into the trans pan. They can become loose and because the fluid's higher than the tube, leak. They also have a drain plug on the face of the torque converter, that can leak, but rarely. Please do the bare minimum investigation before you ask for answers. At this point all we can provide is opinions.

JHZR2 · #7 09-05-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnut

Raise car, slide under then tell us where its from. How can we help without knowing the source? Most Mercedes of this era had the dip stick tube screwed into the trans pan. They can become loose and because the fluid's higher than the tube, leak. They also have a drain plug on the face of the torque converter, that can leak, but rarely. Please do the bare minimum investigation before you ask for answers. At this point all we can provide is opinions.

LOL, no kidding, but if this was a garden variety "ive been driving it and now it leaks" thing, no problem.

But isnt it just a bit off that it has leaked recently due to sitting?

Of course searching for the source is going to be the approach. But Im a bit frustrated with this car right now, and I just got it moving - not even enough time to investigate the stuff.

Wouldnt you be surprised if a car that you own which has never dropped a drip in its life all of a sudden has a red puddle underneath, but hasnt moved in a year?

The phenomena associated with that to me is what is of interest. I doubt the dipstick tube vibrated out of the AT due to sitting...

shertex · #8 09-05-2012, 07:29 PM

Yes, if car sits for long time without being driven they can leak ATF even though there's no leak.

JHZR2 · #9 09-05-2012, 08:42 PM

Interesting. Given the large number of cars that we have, some of them sit quite a bit, and I've never experienced this. Granted they sit for a few months, not a year, but then again this ATF pan gasket isn't that old either...

Rob124 · #10 09-05-2012, 10:08 PM

Mine started leaking around the B2 piston seal. Not too difficult to repair, with the trans in place. Symptom was a leak on the passenger side, about half-way back on the tranny. Might be worth a look!

Zacharias · #11 09-05-2012, 11:50 PM

x2 seal/grommet whatever for dipstick tube.